Obstacles
By Dan Stremel
Director, Offices of Finance and Stewardship
When I began thinking about a column topic for this week, nothing immediately came to mind. No memorable events had recently occurred and no conversations had recently occurred which would mark the beginning of another column. I knew the ever so subtle phone call or e-mail was on its way from Dave, and time was running out. As I looked over at the credenza, almost as if I was searching for the finished paper that I had to hand in to my English instructor that morning, my eyes were drawn to my lector workbook. Perhaps I should see what the coming week’s readings say, that might be helpful.
There is always a stewardship message in the readings, and today in particular, I found them to be helpful in defining our roles as Christian stewards. In the gospel reading Jesus rebukes Peter for not thinking as God does, but rather as humans do. Peter felt like he was doing the right thing by trying to protect Jesus, but was actually acting as a hindrance to God’s will at that moment. Each of us as Christian stewards might find ourselves in much the same situation as that of Peter when we think about life decisions from our own point of view, rather than from the point of view of a spiritual relationship with God.
Our motives in dealing with a particular situation are often based on our initial knee jerk reaction. We might respond in a way that, at the time, seems appropriate, but soon after reveals itself to be a short-term solution with long-term consequences. I, for one, am the kind of person who wants to make a decision quickly, but not hastily, and must be careful to not trap myself into dealing with unintended difficulties as a result of well intentioned decision making.
The readings this week, in my mind, point to a single emphasis that challenges us to place God first in all we do, and that can be accomplished only through a strong spiritual relationship with our Lord. Do we regularly spend time in peaceful silence, prayerfully listening for some indication of what God is asking of us? Do we spend time in prayer, thanking God for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon each of us, and in turn, asking for guidance about how best to share these gifts with others?
I believe all of us are like Peter at various times, we are well intentioned, but through our actions can actually be obstacles getting in the way of God’s grace, either for ourselves or for others. I also believe we are sometimes like Jeremiah, feeling that we’ve done everything asked of us by God, but feeling duped and mocked because we are not conforming to the ways of others.
This weekend many people from around the diocese, and from our neighboring dioceses, heard various stewardship messages at the Diocesan Stewardship Conference. The presenters shared a journey of what it means to be a Christian steward in a slightly different manner, in English and in Spanish, but all with the same emphasis on the necessity of a spiritual relationship with God. I want to thank those of you who were able to attend, for I know the sacrifices of investing a day of your lives during this busy season. I also want to encourage others of you to attend next year’s conference that will be held August 26, 2006 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Each of us, as we move through the coming week, might feel a little like Peter and a little like Jeremiah. We could be an obstacle to carrying out God’s work or we might feel like people are mocking us for doing his work. I pray that we will spend a few extra moments discerning God’s will and that our actions, as we move forward on this stewardship journey, will reflect that spiritual relationship with our Lord. Then, the obstacles of our human nature will be broken and the work of Jesus, through his disciples, will spring forth.